Wednesdays are for Bits and Pieces
5/3/17
Maas, Korey D., and Adam S. Francisco, eds. Making the Case for Christianity: Responding to Modern Objections. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2014. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 4, “Defending the Deity of Jesus in the Face of Islam.” by Adam S. Francisco, Loc. 1750-2097.
Islam has recently become one of the most clear detractors of Christianity in our world. Not only has there been an increase in public acts of hostility toward Christianity, but Christians observe that Islam vigorously denies historic trinitarian belief (Maas 2014, Loc. 1759). Though Islam speaks favorably of Christianity in some passages Francisco points out that the law of abrogation leaves Islam required to contend against all non-Muslims (Ibid., Loc. 1770).
Francisco observes that modern Muslim apologists such as Louay Fatoohi, have taken a more fact-based approach to their apologetic (Ibid., Loc. 1790). His interpretation of facts runs counter to a great deal of scholarship but does consult documents and facts (Ibid., Loc. 1800); though concentrating on later and non-canonical documents. Drawing on Ehrman’s negative opinion of the New Testament, he rejects the authority of those documents (Ibid., Loc. 1820). From this point, Muslims are able to assert an unreliable New Testament and a reliable account in Islam. The “liberal” Christian scholarship is accepted, hence allowing Islam to have an allegedly accurate picture of Christ (Ibid., Loc. 1867).
In response to this Muslim point of view Francisco approaches Fatoohi’s methodology (Ibid., Loc. 1883). The “faith-driven” approach he rejects is exactly the one he uses. He prefers information from a greater time distance from the events rather than eyewitnesses.
He dismisses primary sources in favor of secondary ones (Ibid., Loc. 1913). The manuscript evidence for the Gospels is sound, counter to Ehrman’s opinion (Ibid., Loc. 1943).
In conclusion, the evidence of Christianity is clear, counter to the Islamic opinion that Christianity is based only on irrational faith commitments. It is rather the Islamic commitment to the Qur’an which is not based on historical evidence (Ibid., Loc. 1975).
5/3/17
Maas, Korey D., and Adam S. Francisco, eds. Making the Case for Christianity: Responding to Modern Objections. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2014. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 4, “Defending the Deity of Jesus in the Face of Islam.” by Adam S. Francisco, Loc. 1750-2097.
Islam has recently become one of the most clear detractors of Christianity in our world. Not only has there been an increase in public acts of hostility toward Christianity, but Christians observe that Islam vigorously denies historic trinitarian belief (Maas 2014, Loc. 1759). Though Islam speaks favorably of Christianity in some passages Francisco points out that the law of abrogation leaves Islam required to contend against all non-Muslims (Ibid., Loc. 1770).
Francisco observes that modern Muslim apologists such as Louay Fatoohi, have taken a more fact-based approach to their apologetic (Ibid., Loc. 1790). His interpretation of facts runs counter to a great deal of scholarship but does consult documents and facts (Ibid., Loc. 1800); though concentrating on later and non-canonical documents. Drawing on Ehrman’s negative opinion of the New Testament, he rejects the authority of those documents (Ibid., Loc. 1820). From this point, Muslims are able to assert an unreliable New Testament and a reliable account in Islam. The “liberal” Christian scholarship is accepted, hence allowing Islam to have an allegedly accurate picture of Christ (Ibid., Loc. 1867).
In response to this Muslim point of view Francisco approaches Fatoohi’s methodology (Ibid., Loc. 1883). The “faith-driven” approach he rejects is exactly the one he uses. He prefers information from a greater time distance from the events rather than eyewitnesses.
He dismisses primary sources in favor of secondary ones (Ibid., Loc. 1913). The manuscript evidence for the Gospels is sound, counter to Ehrman’s opinion (Ibid., Loc. 1943).
In conclusion, the evidence of Christianity is clear, counter to the Islamic opinion that Christianity is based only on irrational faith commitments. It is rather the Islamic commitment to the Qur’an which is not based on historical evidence (Ibid., Loc. 1975).
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